CATEGORY : PILGRIM TOURISM, CHURCHES
St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Kadampanad, popularly known as Kadampanad is an ancient church of Saint Thomas Christians situated in the Central Travancore village of Kadampanad, in Pathanamthitta District. This Church belongs to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church under the Diocese of Adoor-Kadampanad.
History
Kadampanad church is one of the
oldest church of St.Thomas Christians in Kerala. Mar Thoma Sleeha (St.Thomas),
an Apostle of Jesus Christ, came to India in AD 52 and established a Christian
community in Kerala. There is evidence that he established eight churches
(known as Ezharapallikal). One among them was at Chayal (Nilackel), situated in
the western ghats. In the beginning of fourth century, a group of Syrian
Christians from Chayal migrated to Kadampanad. They consecrated a church at
Kadampanad in accordance with Syrian tradition and rituals in AD 325, in the
name of Mar Thoma Sleeha as their patron saint. As time went by, a strong
Syrian Christian community flourished in the vicinity of this church. People
irrespective of their cast and creed visit the church with prayers and
offerings.
This church has been rebuild
several times. As per tradition, the re-constructed took place roughly around
AD 800, AD 1200, AD 1800, AD 1912 and at last in the year of 1952. There has
been a subsequent migration of Syrian Christians from Nilackel during the
period of 12th Century and later at the early half of the 14th Century due to
demolition of Nilackel Church (supposedly due to floods). This church is
considered to be the mother church of many parishes in Central Travancore. The
descendants of those who settled down in Kadampanad,later migrated to places
like Mavelikkara, Kayamkulam, Kollakadavu, Adoor, Kozhenchery, Kaippattoor,
Sooranadu, Kallada, Koodal etc., settled there and constructed new churches.
Saint Geevarghese Mar Gregorios
(Parumala Thirumeni) has glorified Kadampanad church by his presence in the
year 1895 and overseen the progress of this church.
H.H.Marthoma III
Kadampanad Church is blessed to
contain the tomb of H.H.Mar Thoma III, also known as "Kadampanad
Vallyappuppan". Marthoma III was born in Pakalomattom family, one of the
oldest families at Kuravilangad. He was the third Mar Thoma from Pakalomattom
family and the Metropolitan of the Syrian church. This historical and spiritual
leader of the Malankara Nasranees deceased on 21 April 1688 while he was in
this church and on 22 April 1688 was buried at the sanctum sanctorum of the
then St. Thomas Valiyapally, the present St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral.
Marthoman Pilgrim Center
The Cathedral was declared as the
"Marthoman Pilgrim Center" on 7 March 2010 by His Holiness Baselios
Marthoma Didymos I.
For more details
http://www.kadampanadstthomascathedral.com/